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In the region where the Sungai Pahang joins with Sungai Tembeling and Sungai Jelai, a group of environmental activists has challenged the Malaysian state government's process of declaring protected forests permanent. Rajesh Nagarajan, the president of the Malaysia Nature Conservation Society (Peka), stated that the government should disclose the criteria used to designate protected forests, and open the process to public inquiry.

He emphasized the need to reveal which forests are being designated, the reasons behind the designation, the area involved, planned developments, and the impact on the environment. Rajesh criticized the state government's claim that it has its own criteria and procedures for designating protected forests, which have been functioning well so far.

He noted that land and forest matters fall under state jurisdiction and should be managed by the state government. However, Rajesh questioned why the public is not involved in decisions that could result in forests losing their protected status. He also raised concerns about the increasing risk to the Sungai Pahang, the largest river in Peninsular Malaysia, as its bottom section is reportedly exposed near Maran.

This situation serves as a warning about the growing pressure on the river system in the state. While Peka does not accuse the state government of solely causing the Sungai Pahang's condition, Rajesh stressed that the government should conduct an open investigation into the relationship between deforestation, land use changes, water diversion, drainage channels, and river health.